Larry Bird was the NBA champion with Boston Celtics three times in 1981, 1984, and 1986. Since his retirement as a player, Bird has served as a coach and then as the president of basketball operations for his home state team, The Indiana Pacers. The step-up was too much for him to handle. There is no clear answer, as both players have had great success shooting the ball throughout their careers. Birds talent brought all the major schools to town. A large pink beam lays behind the star. His player efficiency rating ranks him at 18th of all time. He earned the highest salary, $7,070,000, during the 1991-92 season. He is a former basketball player, coach, and executive in the N.B.A. Larry Legend is glad that offensive players have a bit more room to strut their stuff. He left the school after only 24 days on campus. Larry Bird is an American former professional basketball player who played his entire career for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA). No reviews. 10 Fascinating Facts About Larry Bird - Listverse Later, in 1989 Bird got married to Dinah Mattingly, and the couple adopted two children. In 1998, Larry was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Larry legend graduated with a Bachelor of Science in physical education in 1979. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. The Hick from the French Lick has got yellow-toned tan skin. Larry Bird was the NBA champion with Boston Celtics three times in 1981, 1984, and 1986. Land of Basketball is a fan website, for official NBA information visit National Basketball Association's website. Dinah was an Indiana state native who went to the same college as Bird. He won six NBA Championships and is a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame five times. Over the course of his 13 seasons with the Celtics, the self-described hick from French Lick cemented his legacy as one of the greatest players in NBA history. Before he became an NBA News Writer, Wolpin attended Montclair State University where he graduated in 2021. With numbers like that, how did he ever lose? In a time of overused graphics, Hoops got it right with a clean design over a sharp action photo. "I really like the game now. He was frustrated with his current status and promised his wife Connie that he would find a new professional if he couldnt get Bird to the school. Who do you think was better, Bird or Jordan? Bird still does some scouting for the Pacers, Mahoney explained, and is a fan of todays wide-open style of play and its heavy reliance on the 3-point shot. That wasnt all, though. NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo and his brothers are now part owners of MLS franchise Nashville SC, Bucks emerge as frontrunners to sign veteran guard Goran Dragic, Will Bartons Potential Impact on Toronto, 3 things we learned from Kevin Durants debut with the Phoenix Suns, LeBron James out at least three weeks due to right foot tendon injury. Today the net worth of Larry Bird is estimated to be over $75 million. Larry legend was married to Janet Condra in 1975, but after a year, they started having issues, which almost led them to be separated. NBA Players Comparison: Career Stats and Achievements Weve brought together some of the best Larry Bird basketball cards out there with this list. He initially enrolled at junior college North wood Institute, but dropped out and worked odd jobs like cutting grass, painting benches, striping streets, and driving a garbage truck. Teams, players profiles, awards, stats, records and championships. His mother, Georgia, struggled to raise the six kids after separation from her husband and suicide. So, although Jordan scored more points per game, Bird still scored more points over the course of his career. But it seems like Bird himself is not fond of using social media as there are no personal accounts though we can find numbers of his fan pages over Twitter, Darius Days Bio: Family, Contracts And Net Worth, Gus Johnson Bio: Family, Documentary & Net Worth, Mike Conley Net Worth: Charity & Endorsements, Shaun Livingston Bio: Injuries, NBA Championships, Net Worth & Kids. As someone who shone in the rough-and-tumble 1980s, Larry Legend is glad that offensive players have a bit more room to strut their stuff. I remember Larry having cast-down eyes whenever people made eye contact with him. Recently, he stepped down as the president of the Indiana Pacers and said, Im 60 years old, and I want to do other things away from basketball. In 36 minutes played in Bostons 117-113 win last night, Tatum finished with 41/11/8 along with four three-pointers made on 13-21 shooting from the field. It's another to see how spectacular of a scorer, passer and trash-talker he was. He finished his career, averaging 24.3 points and 10 rebounds per game. As far as stats go, Larry was the first ever player to shoot 50% or higher on field goals. The card is extremely difficult to find in decent condition as copies are riddled with print defects. Larry Bird Abandoned Professional Basketball and - Sportscasting Rating: True About this rating On June 29, 2021, Atlanta Hawks player Clint Capela hit a shot from. Larry Legends fan page on Instagram has over 28.3k followers. On another side, he, too, had a successful college basketball career. Bird was an NBA All-Star in 12 of his 13 seasons in the league. Debilitating injuries plagued Larry for much of 1989. However, they harmonized for a while and had a daughter Corrie; in1977, they separated permanently. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. This is the detail of NBA games in which Larry Bird and Magic Johnson played against each other, including head-to-head record, stats average, game highs and game-by-game data both in the Regular Season and Playoffs. 33. In 13 games played in March last season he averaged (32.8) points on (.538) percent from the field and (.447) from deep. Head-to-Head: Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson. In his several interviews, Larry revealed that his background had always kept him motivated even after all of his success and economic stability at present. Larry Bird, NBA legend and president of the Indiana Pacers, is selling his home in Naples, Fl., for $4.8 million. Bird even participated in the World University Game in 1977 in Sofia, where he won gold with the US team and participated in Summer Olympics in 1992. Larry Bird currently has a net worth of $75 million. Larry Bird Once Blew Kevin McHale's Mind in Practice With a Pass Rather Than a Shot Although things didn't follow a straight trajectory from after high school Bird almost left basketball behind during college things ended up working out. The big guys are getting squeezed out, and the little guys are taking over, and the 3-point line has been there since 1980, and nobody utilized it until the last 15, 17 years. To add to this, he has also won three consecutive NBA MVP awards in the year 1984, 1985, and 1986. Here's Why Larry Bird's 'Behind-the-Backboard' Shot Didn't Count Health problems continued to plague Bird in the 1990 season. Furthermore, he has also dipped his toe in the business world and owned a hotel and restaurant and a car dealership in Indiana. Rachel Hunter Bio: Early Life, Net Worth, Children & West Baden Springs, Indiana, United States of America, The Hick from French Lick and Larry Legend, High school from Springs Valley (French Lick, Indiana), Playing career (1979-1992): Boston Celtics, Coaching career(1997-2000): Indiana Pacers. The bottom left corner highlights Larrys position, name and team in an almost comic-like blast. Because of this, he's one of the most popular players of all-time and one of the most highly collected in the basketball card hobby. Tatum and the rest of his team are eager to avenge the loss in the Finals they had last season. I really like the game now. When you think of Larry Bird, long-range shooting probably comes to mind. 20 Larry Bird Basketball Cards You Need To Own But it seems like Bird himself is not fond of using social media as there are no personal accounts though we can find numbers of his fan pages over Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. As a result, Larrys family went through an economic struggle. It's one thing to know Bird's numbers. They were very protective of Bird, who was still recovering from the death of his father. He would win the NBAs Most Valuable Player Award for the third year in a row in the 86 season. While mint condition cards can go for $700, you can grab a near-mint for around $20 to commemorate this legendary year in Birds career. Amazon.com: Larry Bird Basketball Legends profile: Larry Bird | NBA.com - National Basketball Association Michael Jordan is unquestionably the greatest basketball player of all time. The back shows Larry sitting courtside, watching the game play out, as he would have had to for so many games that season. A black and white gradient is set behind the framing of the picture. Teams, players profiles, awards, stats, records and championships. Larry looks fit and has an athletic body, but he had to go through back fusion surgery, leading him to end his playing career. The card features a somewhat bland photo of Bird wearing a Celtics jacket warming up pre-game. Comparison Between Kevin Durant and Other NBA Stars - LandOfBasketball.com Drake sophomore Tucker DeVries has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year. Larry Bird started his basketball career at the Springs Valley High School averaging 31 points, 21 rebounds, and 4 assists as a senior on his way to becoming the school's all-time scoring leader. Copyright 2023. landofbasketball.com - All rights reserved. Everything I do is done a little differently for me. Learn how your comment data is processed. Larry Bird - Wikipedia I will do some scouting for the Pacers, NBA, college, international, do some appearances and stay in a capacity to advise senior basketball management., Larry Bird has always been instrument on the way my kids were raised. His 1986 Fleer card features an action shot of Bird mid-dribble. Bird was a 12-time All Star and won three consecutive league Most Valuable Player awards (198486), the first noncentre to do so. Furthermore, the basketball player had to go through back fusion surgery that led his playing career to an end at 36 years old. After finishing 1980 as the NBA Rookie of The Year and making it to the NBA All-Star team, Larry blasted into 81 with all kinds of momentum. These cards commemorate the 13 seasons of glory he had playing for the Boston Celtics. Bird made 50.0% of his shots from the field that season, giving up the ball 125 times and accruing 82 fouls. He retired from the NBA in 1992 with a career scoring average of 24.3 points per game. Nonetheless, it is interesting to compare Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan. And while youd be right, Bird didnt just give modern basketball the metaphorical thumbs up. The thick blue border on the left was an interesting design choice at the time making the 1991 Fleer set easily recognizable. The final card on our list today has a fairly traditional design with a mid game action shot on the front. I have a grand daughter playing at Culver High School. Larrys name and position are seen in the top left corner of the card. The design of this card has Fleer written all over it with its blocky gray borders and overall color scheme. Larry once again got to make history in the summer of 92. He was a three-time NBA champion and a three-time MVP, winning three straight seasons. Inside Basketball Legend Larry Bird's Home Photos - ABC News Is Russell Westbrook The Next NBA Legend. Menu Kevin Durant vs other NBA players NBA: NBA Championships Year By Year Records and Stats All-Time Leaders Honors and Awards NBA Teams Teams Head to Head NBA Players Players Comparison Kareem Abdul-Jabbar vs. Steven Adams vs. Bam Adebayo vs. The Celtics went on to win in double-overtime against the Portland Trail Blazers. Privacy and Cookies Policy. Unsurprisingly, given his exploits in the Three-Point Contest, one of those was the evolution of NBA offense. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. James attempts 27,044 shots and converts 13,643 baskets, resulting in a 25.1 points per game average and a 50.4% shooting percentage. He was a versatile player who could play both forward positions. You dont go to college, Larry? he certainly knew how to tickle the twine from downtown. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall . Some of them are Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals, Celtics/Lakers: Best of Enemies, Larry Bird: A Basketball Legend, etc. During his prime, Bird was one of the best players in the NBA and he achieved a lot of success in it. Wolpin has been a fan of the NBA and has been watching for a decade and a half. Name: Larry Bird Birth Year: 1956 Birth date: December 7, 1956 Birth State: Indiana Birth City: West Baden Springs Birth Country: United States Gender: Male Best Known For: Basketball icon. Note that the content on this site should not be considered betting advice. In 48 foul line attempts, James has made 32, giving him a 66.7% foul line percentage. The Fleer card features Bird mid game, coming down with a hard-earned rebound. Larry Bird: A Basketball Legend (Video 1992) - IMDb By using this website you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. The great point guard was unquestionably one of the greatest players of all time, but the great point guard of the modern era, Stephen Curry, can also help his team win by playing defense and passing the ball. This Upper Deck card features Bird fighting off a defender in the post on his way to score. Get my weekly newsletter with the latest hobby updates delivered straight to your inbox! Contact us! Corrections? Larry Bird Turned a Painful High School Basketball Snub Into Lasting Jayson Tatum has his 34th 30-point game of the season. Privacy and Cookies Policy. Since his high school days at Spring Valley High School, he proved himself a star player with averaged 31 points, 21 rebounds, and four assists as a senior. Boston had lost the previous two matchups to the Cavs and they were hungry for revenge last night. Drake's Tucker DeVries named Missouri Valley Player of the Year The image would actually be much more impressive as poster than a pocket sized picture. They faced each other a total of 37 times in NBA games. The result looks great, relying on excellent action shots instead of computer graphics. He had to sit out more games in the 91 season than the previous year. The Celtics won their first NBA title with Bird (and 14th overall) in 1981; they repeated with title wins in 1984 and 1986. When youre out there playing, you like to have freedom, and they have that now.. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800 GAMBLER. Aside from that, several documentaries upon Birds legacy and career has been released. We sometimes use affiliate links in our content, when clicking on those we might receive a commission at no extra cost to you. He is undeniably one of the greatest basketball players of all time, which has earned him , Bird had always been a perfectionist whom millions of, When Larry Bird had to retire due to his back surgery in, Since his high school days at Spring Valley High School, he proved himself a star player with averaged, As Bird had proved himself as a star player through his high school achievements, he received a scholarship from, The American player moved back to French Lick and enrolled at the, Larry legend graduated with a Bachelor of Science in physical education in, On another side, he, too, had a successful college basketball career. It is second only to the Basketball Hall of Fame, the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, and most ESPNzone restaurants in annual attendance for basketball-related tourist attractions. Bird ultimately chose to attend Indiana University because He likes coach Bobby Knight, the players, the fans and the way they have things set up there. For a local kid, joining the Hoosiers tends to be a dream come true, but for Bird, the transition proved to be a struggle. The latter inspired his team members, along with millions of basketball fans. A close-up, candid shot of Larry fills the front of the card, with a small Boston Celtics logo in the upper right corner. Games Played Between Larry Bird and Michael Jordan He didnt tell anyone, including his parents, that he was leaving. In 1992, the Celtics would make it to the semifinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was asked if he was like Michael Jordan and replied, I think Im more of a team player. I believe I am a facilitator. As I mentioned earlier, its easy to have a personal bias and default to the belief that your era was the best. The final Larry Bird Topps card features a photo of Bird just moments before shooting the ball. As listed, his height is. He also loves to write about the hobby and has written for Beckett, Topps, SABR and of course, this website. The legendary player was the first player to earn $5 million. This article was last updated by Krishna Gurung on January 9, 2023. You have entered an incorrect email address! Clearly, the Michael Jordan rookie card is the key to this famous set but Birds card is essential, too. His birthplace is West Baden Springs, Indiana but later he grew up in French Lick. Bird was also an excellent three-point shooter and free throw shooter. The space behind Larrys name looks like a painted basketball, which was kind of an interesting touch to the design, although it does make it harder to read the lettering. If he scored on that particular play, surely thered be some trash talk to follow. He also would take the Celtics to win the championship for a third time, and be named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player for his contributions to the victory. Taken in his last season of professional basketball, this card is an affordable, good-looking piece to any Larry Bird basketball card collection. Darius Days Bio: Family, Contracts And Net Shaun Livingston Bio: Injuries, NBA Championships, Net Who Is Aaron Rodgers Wife? The 91 season did have a true moment of glory for Larry. Both players have had illustrious careers, with Bird being a 3-time NBA champion and James a 4-time NBA champion. The Celtics have a rich history of winning championships and being a contender almost every season. In terms of shooting percentage, Bird has a higher field goal percentage and three-point percentage than James. His hair color has faded slightly, but Bird still has that blue-colored beautiful eyes. Bird was raised in French Lick, Indiana, and attended Indiana State University, where he helped revive the basketball program and led the team to a 331 record in his senior season. Larry Bird | Boston Celtics - The official site of the NBA for the The Celtics had decided not to pay Bird more than any other players, but eventually, he ended up signing a five-year, $3.25 million contract with the Celtics and was the highest-paid rookie time of his career. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. While the legendary forward wasnt a one-trick pony he was a pure scorer and a deadly trash-talker he certainly knew how to tickle the twine from downtown. This article was most recently revised and updated by, The 10 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Larry-Bird, AEI Speakers Bureau - Biography of Larry Bird, Larry Bird - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up), Celtics stars Tatum and Brown put on quite an All-Star show. When all was said and done he'd win 3 NBA championships, 3 MVP awards and be named to 12 All-Star teams. Twitter itself seems inspired by basketballs legend as its logo is dedicated and named after Larry Bird. FREE delivery Tue, Mar 7. Wedding, Kids & Girlfriends. Im not just a shooter, Im not just a person. Larry Bird is regarded as one of the greatest three-point%27shooting guards of all time, and he was known for his ability to break defenses with big shots late in the fourth quarter. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Bird has five siblings; three brothers Mike, Mark, Jeff, Eddie, and a sister, Linda. Jayson Tatum passed Larry Bird for the most 30 point games Larry Bird's Wife: Social Media Dinah tries her best to avoid it on the day when most celebrities are rocking social media. For 13 seasons with the Boston Celtics, from 1979-80 through 1991-92, Bird personified hustle, consistency and excellence in all areas of play as a scorer, a. He addressed the subject with his typical candor. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide who has better stats. Ever the people person, the coach refused to acknowledge Bird on campus when his player said hello. Through that lens, youd probably think that the forward appreciates todays NBA. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. These cards are easy to come by for under $10, so what better way to honor the year Bird took home the gold medal than with this fine piece of sports memorabilia. Larry Bird averages for the NBA season and Playoffs, including points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and other categories, year by year and career numbers. For thirteen seasons, Bird put his heart and soul into the game and put fear into every other team. In his early childhood, Bird had to go through emotional and economic chaos after his fathers demise, Claude Joseph, a Korean War veteran. Games. Larry Bird Had 1 Requirement When He Returned to Indiana State for His Final College Season And, lest you think that Bird's comments were a one-off, there are some other quotes from the former star about the state of modern basketball. Larry Bird: A Basketball Legend: With Daniel Stern, Larry Bird. In the case of this card, the result is less eye catching. While 89 wasnt so great for Bird health wise, it was a great year on a personal level. They faced each other a total of 37 times in NBA games. Along with Birds entrance into the team, the Celtics game was improved compared to all of the previous season with 32 games. The "Hick from French Lick" was known not only for his impressive basketball skills but his hard work ethic and grueling style of play. This card shows Larry barreling down the court with the ball, determined to score. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.